Towards the Prediction and Minimization of Device Failure for Endolvascular Grafts in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The local dilation of the infrarenal aorta, termed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), occurs over several years and may eventually lead to rupture, an event currently ranked the 15^th leading cause of death in the United States [1, 2]. AAA can often remain quiescent and asymptomatic, making the diagnosis and treatment of AAA patients a clinical challenge. For patients whose AAAs dilate to a critical diameter there are two standard treatments: open surgical resection and endovascular repair (EVAR). EVAR involves inserting an endovascular graft into the aneurysm to prevent pressurization of the AAA cavity.